12th March 2012
The right to withdraw labour is one thing. To intimidate and confront those doing business at the port is something different, said Auckland Chamber head Michael Barnett.

Calling on the union bosses to show leadership and prevent violence and intimidation at the waterfront, Mr Barnett said the change of tactics was the worst possible way to win the hearts and minds of Aucklanders to their cause.

“The union is sending the worst possible message to the rest of New Zealand and the world by taking actions that prevent cruise and container ships from berthing and going about their lawful business. It is the worst possible look for Auckland.”

If this is a reflection of their bargaining behaviour with the Port, all it does is reinforce to most Aucklanders that the decision of the Port to move to establish competitive stevedoring, following many months of meetings between the union and Port, was the right move.

“The failure of many months of meetings between the union and Port to achieve a resolution clearly forced the Port to act. It is now very clear to business that the Port was left with little option to move to establish competitive tendering in a bid to deliver on its full productivity potential.

“There are no winners from continuing to carry on as we are,” concluded Mr Barnett.